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TENNIS

Murray celebrates number one ranking with first Paris Masters title

The 29-year-old became the world number one on Saturday and has sealed his first Paris Masters on the same weekend. Murray vs Wawrinka

Update:
Andy Murray of Great Britain poses with 'Tree of Fanti' Trophy
Dan MullanGetty Images

Andy Murray celebrated his impending rise to the world number one ranking with a 6-3 6-7(4) 6-4 victory against John Isner to claim his maiden Paris Masters title and his eighth tournament win of the season on Sunday.

The Briton, who will take over from Novak Djokovic at the top of the ATP rankings on Monday, survived a barrage of aces against the towering American to win his 14th career Masters tournament.

The three-times grand slam champion gave little breathing space to Isner, who was hoping to clinch his first Masters title after two lost finals.

Andy Murray of Britain returns the ball to John Isner of the US
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Andy Murray of Britain returns the ball to John Isner of the USIAN LANGSDONEFE

Murray in top form

Murray will be the top seed at the season-ending ATP World Tour finals at the O2 Arena in London from Nov. 13-20. The double Olympic champion entered the contest with a 7-0 record against Isner and his recent form, which had helped him to win six of his eight previous tournaments since losing the French Open final, suggested he would have the upper hand.

Murray, who now has 43 titles to his name, broke in the sixth game on his first opportunity when Isner sent a backhand long. The American, who served a total of 18 aces, had two chances to break back in the following game as he opened up a 40-15 lead.

How he won it

Murray saved the first with a routine volley after managing to lob his 2.08-metre opponent, and forced Isner to bury a backhand into the net on the second. He bagged the opening set with an unreturned serve having made only four unforced errors.

Isner earned three break points thanks to a splendid drop shot followed by a forehand winner. Murray saved them all, the last one with a second-serve ace, and staved off another one to stay level. In the tiebreak, Isner went 4-2 up when Murray double faulted, and the American closed it out with a booming forehand winner to send the contest into a decider.

Both players looked clumsy but it was Murray who played a tighter game in the end, ending the contest on his first match point when Isner netted a backhand volley.